William E Gatward

Bill joined Chambers in 2011 and is a member of the Management Committee. He appears in courts throughout London and the South East. Bill was recently appointed to Level 3 on the CPS Prosecution Advocates Panel, and has completed  Vulnerable Witness Advocacy training. He also prosecutes for the National Probation Service and is qualified for Public Access work.

Recent Cases:

M (Nov 18, Southwark)  Successful prosecution of knifepoint ATM robbery with DNA, identification evidence issues, and defence application to exclude evidence. First time custody sentence of 21 months. 

C (Nov 18, Inner London) Prosecuting defendant who followed, then beat and robbed Asian men returning from casinos. This case featured Bad Character (prior convictions and  similar facts between counts), racial aggravation and Dangerousness, with extended licence and Criminal Behaviour Order imposed in addition to 12 year sentence. 

C (Aug 18, Lewes) Defending client  convicted at trial of Possession with Intent (Heroin and Cocaine) in a “County Lines” prosecution. She was the driver, her passenger was in physical possession. Bill persuaded the Court that her role was “lesser” and not “significant” and the client received a Suspended Sentence. 

W (Aug 18, Central Criminal Court) – Prosecuted a s 18 Grievous Bodily Harm trial, where defendant “bottled” and severely scarred young woman at a house party. 

B (Aug 18, Southwark) – Prosecuted trial of an issue where defendant charged with Outraging Public Decency had been found unfit to plead, after many months in remand due to homelessness and mental health issues. Assisted the Court in imposing a sentence with terms to protect the community while avoiding further incarceration.

B (May 18, Woolwich) – Successfully opposed defendant’s costs application after his acquittal at trial for fraud.

N and Others  (May 18, Woolwich) – Prosecuted a four-handed affray arising from a High Street  street brawl. Trial issues included CCTV, bad character and self-defence. Three of the defendants, on opposing sides of the brawl, were convicted.

M (Dec 17, Kingston) – Prosecuting sexual assaults for touching teenage girls on different buses. Sentencing issues involved how to impose a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to protect the public yet permit the defendant to use public transport.

O (Feb 17, Maidstone)– Successfully defended Crown compensation application after client was convicted of conspiracy in  £85,000 home burglary.

H (Jan 17, Inner London)- Prosecuting domestic GBH, with defence of insanity, and reluctant complainant. 

K (2016, St Albans)– Secured a 10 year sentence after trial for burglary of dwelling. Case featured  CCTV evidence, prolific defendant, and successful application to hearsay evidence from arresting officer on stress leave:  http://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/prolific-burglar-from-radlett-jailed-after-reoffending-1-4475386.

W (2016, Central Criminal Court)– Prosecuted  black cab driver charged with hitting cyclist in road rage incident. Live link evidence from Ukraine, and  reported in Daily Mail and Evening Standard: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3383954/London-black-cab-driver-used-vehicle-like-weapon-deliberately-rammed-cyclist-road-rage-attack.html;https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/cab-driver-used-car-as-weapon-to-ram-cyclist-a3148771.html

Background:

Bill has been a criminal trial counsel for over 35 years, and in Canada has practised both as a full-time prosecutor and defence counsel. He has appeared at all levels of trial court, in English and French, in Ontario and Alberta. In 2008  Bill came to the UK for LLM studies, and decided to stay.

Memberships:

• Professional memberships include the Criminal Bar Association and the South East Circuit.
• Interests include his tree farm in Southern Ontario, languages (fluent in French, speaks basic Italian and Spanish), and Coen Brothers films.